Adayar can take the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot (Picture: Getty Images)
Heavyweight boxing should take a leaf out of Royal Ascot’s book when it comes to big stars facing off in a winner-takes-all showdown.
When it boils down to it, the best boxers in the noble art’s most attractive division would seemingly rather pick up less money for easier nights in the ring than lose to a fellow superstar – even though it could be the fight of the year.
It’s weak and fans are being basically being fed scraps while being denied showdowns which could go down in boxing’s rich history.
There’s no such reluctance to mix it with the best in the feature race on day two at Royal Ascot with a tremendous encounter looming in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes.
Bay Bridge and Adayar were first and second in an epic Champion Stakes last October and renew their rivalry over a mile and two furlongs with the heralded Luxembourg and My Prospero also gracing the occasion.
Last year’s Derby winner Adayar gets our backing at 9/4 with Betway but it may be nerve-wracking as the first three or four could be covered by a decent-sized horse blanket.
Midnight Affair unseated jockey Daniel Tudhope before the Hilary Needler at Beverley but still had the poise to win a race which is considered a fine indicator of form.
Richard Fahey’s runner is strong each-way material in the Queen Mary’s Stakes at 10/1 with Big Three bookies William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral and it’s a similar story with Lady Eros in the Kensington Palace Fillies Handicap.
John and Thady Gosden’s filly won well at Yarmouth at the start of the month, looked to have plenty left in the tank, and can also be backed e/w at a widespread 10/1.
Jumbly is the one to beat in the Duke of Cambridge and needed the run when second in her first outing for new trainer Joseph O’Brien at the Curragh at the end of last month.
Ryan Moore will get the best out of the bay filly at 9/4 with bet365 while Random Harvest is worth an each-way interest after a good run behind Prosperous Voyage at Epsom on Derby day.
They renew their rivalry in this race and Random Harvest, beaten last time by just three-quarters of a length after a fine ride from Saffie Osborne, looks good value at 25/1 each-way with Paddy Power, Betfair and Bet Victor.
• Gary O’Neil was unlucky not to be on the shortlist for Premier League manager of the year after defying the odds and keeping Bournemouth in the top flight with room to spare. Darren Moore took Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship after victory in the League One play-offs and is also out of a job. Baffling. If the football gods dish out justice the Cherries will be relegated next season at 15/8 with Betway and the no-one but fans will give a hoot when the Owls go down at 13/2 with Sky Bet.
• Daniil Medvedev can play at Wimbledon after the ban on Russian players was lifted and he’s 10/3 with Sky Bet to work his way into the best possible form by winning this week’s grass court action at Halle.
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It’s a heavyweight battle between Adayar and Bay Bridge at Royal Ascot.